Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-11-24


The American Navy.
WAsHISGToS, Nov. lo.-Lieutenant Cen
eral Z. Ii. Sheridan has presented his an
nual report 10 the Secretary OF War, from
which 1t appears that 1T tue date OF the
last returns the army consisted OF 2,2OO
officers and 4236 men, Including Indian
scouts.
OF the division OF the Missouri the Cen
eral says that, while IL has been free from
Indian hostilitIes OF any magnitude, many
operations OF minor nature have been
necessary. Troops have been continually
occupied in patrolling the oklahoma coun-
try and have been successful in keeping
intruders out OF that region. The gradual
spread OF railroads throughout the Terri
tory can, howeve-, ultimately have but
effect, and he is now of the opinion
that Congress may well consider the adj
visibility OF opening up portions at least CT
this country TO settlement.
The General reviews the difficulties arts
ing in August last in Colorado near the
UncOmpahgre Indian reservation and their
determination through the iniercession OF
Lieutenant Burnett with a small detach-
ment OF Ninth cavalry. He also touches
upon the recent trouble occurring on the
Crow Indian reserva ion III Montana and
Its settlement by General Ruger. In order
TO quiet the restless young men among
the Crow Indians, the report says, General
Kruger has been authorized to enlist about
them 10 Fort Custer. The Crows have al
ways been friendly and make it boast
that they have never killed white man,
and it would be great pity If any thing
should now occur to disturb the peaceful
relations of so long standing. He is conf
dent that General Ruger will be able 10
effect permanent settlement that will be
satisfactory to the Crows as well as 10 the
Government.
The General expresses regret at the fact
OF a slight increase IN the number OF de-
sertions during the year, but sees no
remedy for 1t. He looks favorably on the
new plan of monthly payments. The re-
cruiting service, he says, has enlisted an
Increased number of good men and dis
cipllne is good. The artillery, infantry
and cavalry schools are reported TO be do
ing good work and the army has greatly
improved in rife practice. He renews his
recommendation that 5000 men be added
to the army and that two Majors and two
Captains be added to each infantry regi-
ment. He recommends the appointment Of
board TO frame revised tactics TO meet
the changes in handling men accustomed by
changes in the methods OF war, and urges
as measure highly promotive Of efficiency
the retirement OF about eighty old officers
unfit for duty, but whose retention on the
active list entails additional work on men
who are, at the same time, withheld from
promotion.
On the question Of arms the report says
that the time is near at hand when the
army should be supplied with machine
guns, and That unless an effective arm Of
Tins character should be developed by an
American manufacturer soon, the Govern
ment should adopt some foreign repeating
gun. On the subject of coast defenses the
General says that they have continued TO
deteriorate during the year and that ade-
quate defences must be the work OF years
and attained at heavy outlay. In the mean
time, he says, the dynamite gun expert
ments show valuable qualities and good re-
suits within their range, and experiment
ing with view TO their further develop
ment should be encouraged.
General Sheridan concludes his report as
follows: II am strongly In favor OF the
General Government extending all posi-
bic aid to National guard OF the different
States, as they constitute Il body of troops
that in any great emergency would form
an impor ant part OF our military force.
They should be armed with the best weap-
ons, amply provided with complete camp
and garrison equipage, and instructed in
the various drills and exercises and tactics
and SYST ems followed in the regular army.
According to my observation and expert
ence most OF the State troops now march
well and handle the gun well, but they are
deficient in discipline and in ali the duties
that teach a soldier TO take care OF himself
while i'll camp or upon a march. This de
feet can be best overcome by establishing
some system ofencampment under the con-
troll and direction and at the entire expense
of the General Government. In the devel-
opment OF such measure, the entire army,
as well as myself personally, viii be glad
to render such assistance as lies in our
power, and recommend that the favorable
consideration of the subject may be con-
mended to Congress"
BUREAU OF NAVAL CONSTRUCTION.
WASHINGTON, Nov. l6.-CommOdore T. d.
Wilson, Chief of the Bureau OF Construc-
tion and Repair Of the Navy Department,
has submitted his annual report 10 the
Secretary OF the Navy. He renews his
recommendation that two new vessels of
about 1000 tons each be built to replace the
training ships Saratoga, jamestown and
Portsmouth, which can not possibly be kept
in service much longer; and he asks that
special authority be given for the repair Of
the historic sloop Of war Hartford, at o
cost of S175, CO., Tables attached to the re-
port show the exact condition OF every
vessel in the navy. These tables show that
in three years we shall have twenty-one
wooden vessels remaining, IN six years but
four, and in nine years the entire wooden
navy Will have disappeared. The appendix
also contains elaborate detailed statements
from the officers In charge of the construc-
tion OF the new cruisers and gunboats and
dynamite cruiser of the work remaining to
be done, as well as receptions and plates of
the new vessels and monitors, showing
their general dimensions, armament, rig,
Steam power and other details. Appended
to the report is tabuiated statement of
estimates OF the appropriation for the next
fiscal year. Under the head of salaries,
$14, $50 IS asked; S9O0,O00 Is estimated for
the cons rucLion and repair Of vessels;
S24. O4I Tor the civil establishment at navy
yards; $1,000 for extra tools at the Mare
Island navy yard; go 900 for The construc-
ton Of experimental works 10 test the dis
lance of ships at the New York Navy yard,